Tregoning Almost Set With Percy

Marcus Tregoning spoke yesterday of his increasing desire to run one-time favourite Sir Percy in the Vodafone Derby at Epsom tomorrow week.

Having acquitted himself bravely when second to George Washington in the Stan James 2000 Guineas, Sir Percy returned home somewhat stiff and sorry for himself.

But a key gallop this weekend could convince his trainer that his charge is ready to attempt to resume winning ways in the world's most famous Flat race.

'He's in good form but it is a very difficult situation,' reported Tregoning.

'At first he appeared to be jarred up, then after we had got over the disappointment of him coming out of a race badly for the first time in his career we found that he was quite stiff in his hamstrings.

'He is a very clean-winded horse anyway and doesn't need to do a lot of work but it would just be reassuring. At this stage, I think absolutely that he will run in the Derby.'

Tregoning added that a final decision as to Sir Percy's participation at Epsom is likely to come in the middle of next week.

'I want him to run because I am sure he is going to win a big race this year - whether it's in the Derby or not I don't know but I'd like to find out,' he said.

'He is a very agile horse, absolutely the right size for the Derby I would have said.'

Connections of the once-raced Hala Bek were given a boost after the Michael Jarvis-trained son of Halling underwent a satisfactory scope.

The three-year-old will now be put through his paces before a decision is made on the Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum-owned colt's participation in the blue riband.

'There's no decision on whether he partakes in the Derby yet ? it would depend on how he works and following discussions with Sheikh Ahmed,' said Jarvis.

'He has made pleasing progress since missing the Dante and things are on target. He's missed a bit of work but we'll see how he goes.'

There are no such question marks over favourite Visindar, who received a positive bulletin ahead of his bid.

The unbeaten son of 2000 Derby hero Sinndar will aim to give trainer Andre Fabre a first victory in the contest after impressively scoring at Saint-Cloud on his most recent start.

Georges Rimaud, racing manager to the colt's owner the Aga Khan, said: 'The horse worked on Tuesday and Andre was very pleased. Things are ticking over and everything is going well so far.

'He always appeared to be the sort of horse who could have handled Epsom and he worked well, he raced well and he won well and the Derby became the obvious goal.'

Mark Johnston felt the long journey down from North Yorkshire to have been worthwhile after seeing Atlantic Waves acquaint himself with Epsom in front of an invited audience.

'I am delighted that we brought him here,' said the trainer. 'It is very, very soft but he's gone fine on it.

'He just tried to jump the first track and looked at the second one but by the time he got past that he was fine. It was a new experience for him and I am glad that we did it.'

Sir Michael Stoute hinted that both Best Alibi and Papal Bull could run.

The last-named colt, winner of the Chester Vase, would have to be supplemented at a cost of £75,000, having been taken out at the previous forfeit stage.

'Best Alibi is a possible but he prefers good or faster ground and if it came up soft then I wouldn't start him,' he said.

'As for Papal Bull, I have only spoken to one of the three partners who own the colt and I will have to speak to the other two before the weekend but I would hope that he will go.

'I thought it was a good trial at Chester and he is doing well.'

(C) PA Sport